Sweet Tidings

by Jean C. Gordon

  “Mom, I forgot the password to your phone,” Jaden shouted from inside.

  “I’ve got to go. See you tomorrow, Eric. Nice to meet you, Amy.” Kassie waved to them.

  Eric slipping his arm around her waist as they walked back toward the shoreline took the sting out of Kassie not remembering her name.

  “Is it always like that when people recognize you?”

  He raised his gaze to the sea. “Too often.”

  “How do you take it.”

  “I have a role I assume for that. And one for interviews. And one for the women who I want to discourage from falling all over me.”

  Amanda playfully slugged his shoulder, then rubbed her knuckles, surprised at the jolt.

  “Ouch! What was that for?”

  “Should I be worried?” she asked rather than answering.

  “About all the women?” He tried to tickle her side.

  “Ha! I’m not ticklish. “No, should I be worried about you and whether you suffer from a multi-personality disorder?”

  “Not at all. I’m always Eric, and for you I’m always trying to be my real self.”

  Despite his light tone, his words knocked her more off balance than her fist bouncing off his rock-solid shoulder.

  To cover her skittering control over her emotions, she slid her arm around his waist, too. And pinched his side with her forefinger and thumb. Eric bent over and lurched away.

  “I might not be ticklish, but I know someone who is,” she chimed, wiggling her fingers.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” He took off at a jog.

  She raced after him. He stopped at the last cottage, just short of the Mansion B&B beach, and caught her in his arms.

  Amanda bent over, laughing until she felt Eric’s stillness. He turned her around in his arms and stared.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Admiring you. The way the moonlight plays on your hair. Your skin that looks so soft I have to touch it.” He ran his finger over her cheek and down her jaw line.

  She didn’t even try to hide her shudder.

  “Yes,” he said, crushing her to him before he lowered his lips to hers. Teasing, tasting first, nearly driving her crazy before giving her what she silently cried for, a deep, probing possessive kiss that made the roaring in her ears louder than the waves crashing behind her.

  She didn’t know how long they stood intwined before he gradually broke the kiss, only that it wasn’t long enough.

  “I, hem, we’d better get on with our Seaside Boulevard tour, Mayor Strickland.”

  “Yes, we should, Mr. Slade.” She brushed the front of his t-shirt she’d had clenched in her hands. “So that’s the real you, not some replay of a movie scene.”

  “Yes, ma’am. More real than even I knew.”

  If that was the case, she didn’t care how many women threw themselves at him, as long as he kept the real Eric for her.

  Chapter 9

  Eric stood on the ladder he’d had to borrow from Jeff and plugged in the last string of lights on Kassie’s rented cottage and glanced at her sitting below him. Unlike, Amanda, Kassie’s participation in the decorating had been limited to pointing at the box of lights Dallas had left in a closet. So it had taken him twice as long, which may have been the idea. He frowned at Kassie, sitting in the sun sipping a drink while her son tried to help between asking 100 questions.

  As he started down the ladder, he caught a flash of someone jogging up the beach. Jeff. Eric speeded up his descent. “Hey,” he called and waved, startling Kassie. He met Jeff on the beach in front of the cottage.

  “Hey,” Jeff said. “I’m on lunch break from the shop, and Sonja sent me to invite you to join us.”

  “You’re a savior.”

  “Tough work?”

  “I’ve got a ten-year-old firing nonstop questions and a strange woman watching my every move. I don’t mind women admiring me in my movies. It’s creepy in person.”

  Jeff snorted. “Since when?”

  “Since …” He stopped himself from finishing Amanda. “I don’t remember Chris doing the 100 questions.” He deflected Jeff’s question, he hoped.

  “I remember Jesse. Irritated the heck out of me when I was trying to get work done. Then, I missed it when he hit his silent teens.”

  A pang gutted Eric. He knew his friend hadn’t done it purposely, but Jeff had reminded Eric of how little time he’d spent with Chris when he was growing up. “Help me grab your ladder and my tools.”

  The men climbed the steps to the deck.

  “Kassie, this is Jeff Brewster.”

  “Ah, the childhood friend who brings you to Indigo Bay.”

  “That and other things.”

  “Your B&B looks beautiful from outside.”

  “It’s my wife’s actually, and she’s made it just as beautiful inside. The Barks and Bows Gala a week from Saturday is being held there.”

  “I’ve seen the signs.”

  “Have you bought a ticket?” Jeff asked. “It would be a great way for you to meet people and see the mansion.”

  Kassie’s gaze moved from Jeff to him and back. “I haven’t. I have Jaden. No one to watch him. We’re planning on coming to the tree lighting, though.”

  “Well if you want to go to the gala, too, I’ll give you my daughter-in-law’s card. She has the law office on Seaside Boulevard.” Jeff reached in his back pocket and produced one. “She’s got someone lined up to watch my granddaughter. What’s one more?”

  Kassie fingered the card. “Thanks, I’ll think about it. And Eric, the lights look great.”

  He hadn’t noticed that she’d plugged them in when he was talking to Jeff on the beach. “No problem. Glad to be of help.”

  The guys collected the ladder and tools and headed toward the B&B with Eric uncomfortably feeling Kassie’s gaze drilling into his back. “Nice selling job on the gala.”

  Jeff made an exaggerated bow. “You could have clenched it with an invitation.”

  “Don’t I know. Fortunately, I already have a date.”

  “Let me guess. Our good mayor.”

  “Bullseye.”

  “Just remember, Amanda is Sonja’s friend. My friend.”

  “Heh, what do you expect me to do to her?”

  Jeff raised an eyebrow. “The usual?”

  “Seriously? Not a chance. We’re friends, too. I like her and she likes me.”

  “Which you?”

  “The one you and Sonja invite to visit. Amanda and I are going to see where things go.”

  “Then, you my friend,” Jeff said with a broad grin, “are in big trouble.”

  Eric mentally made the gesture he might have been scripted to make in one of his movies.

  “Amanda. What a surprise,” her mother said as Amanda knocked on the screen door and walked into the kitchen. “Just in time for lunch.”

  “That was the plan. It’s such a warm, sunny day again for December, I decided to play hooky from work and come over when I finished at city hall to help you get your outside decorations up.” Amanda glanced outside, trying not to be too obvious about checking for Eric’s bike, which was parked by the garage. Maybe he was upstairs washing for lunch. Or maybe she should just turn off the where-is-Eric Geiger counter.

  Her mother busied herself placing sandwiches and potato salad on the table. “I’ll make more for Eric when he gets back.”

  “He’s still helping that woman with her decorations?” It shouldn’t have taken them all morning.

  “He is as far as I know.” Her mother pulled out a chair to join her, then turned away to the counter when her cell phone rang. “Eric,” she said as she picked up the phone.

  Her mother quickly ended the call, and Amanda tapped her foot on the floor while she waited for her to sit and say something.

  “Eric’s having lunch with Sonja and Jeff, so I’m doubly glad you popped in. To eat the extra sandwiches.”

  Amanda finished the bite of sandwich she’d taken. “Always glad to help, s
peaking of which, I won’t take no for an answer about putting up your Christmas decorations.”

  For as long as she could remember, her mother always had everything inside and out decorated the first week of December. But her mother had kept putting it off this year whenever Amanda offered to help her.

  “You must be a mind reader. That’s what Eric and I have planned for this afternoon.”

  Amanda took another bite of sandwich to hide her smile at spending the afternoon with Eric, too. Mom could be a little too intuitive sometimes.

  They were finishing the dishes when Amanda heard a motorcycle drive up the street and turn into the drive. Moments later, Eric walked in.

  “Jeff dropped me off,” he said.

  Amanda placed the two plates she’d dried in the cupboard. He was dressed as he’d dressed to help her decorate, as she’d thought he dressed for her. A muscle shirt and those well-worn jeans that fit him just right. “Dallas must have left a lot of decorations.” Her attempt to make her comment sound off-hand sounded exactly like what it was—petty fishing for why he’d been at Kassie’s all morning.

  “Not really. But she didn’t help. Just watched me. The whole time. Jeff saved me with Sonja’s lunch invitation. I think Kassie was about to offer me lunch.”

  His complaining voice boosted Amanda’s spirits. “Poor boy. Are you too worn out to help Mom and me with her decorations?”

  “I’m never too tired for you two ladies. But first let me tell you about the sales job for the gala that Jeff did on Kassie.”

  “Good for him,” Amanda said when Eric finished. “Sometimes I think the transplants to Indigo Bay are more gung-ho on our town than the long-time natives are.”

  “I heard that,” her mother said, clarifying for Eric, “I’m Indigo Bay born and bred. I’m just a little behind on some holiday stuff this year. Although, I do have a gala ticket. And why are we just standing here talking?” She clapped her hands. “Let’s get with it. Amanda, you and Eric get the outside decorations from the garage, and I’ll get the inside ones from the attic.”

  Amanda walked Eric the short distance to far door of the two-car garage.

  “I’d about given up on getting her into the holiday spirit,” she said as he opened the door. “Mom’s always loved Christmas but didn’t seem to care this year. Your being here has been good for her.”

  Eric turned, grabbed her hand, and pulled her around the wall between the doors and into his arms. “How about you? Am I good for you, too?”

  “The jury’s still out on that one.” Despite her words, she made no effort to move out of his arms.

  “How’s a guy to behave when you’re around and not lending any help?”

  Amanda swallowed hard when she realized he’d loosened his embrace, but she was still standing just as close.

  “I’ve been a regular Santa’s elf,” he continued, “helping all the single ladies of Indigo Bay get their decorations up.”

  No way could she picture Eric as an elf, aside from the twinkle he had in his eye. Even that reminded her more of a little devil than an elf. She lifted her head to him, and he leaned toward her. Her heart started pounding. She lowered her eyelids. And Eric gave her a peck on the tip of her nose.

  “So, where are these decorations?” he asked starting across the mostly empty garage.

  Her eyes opened and she summoned her voice from the center of her chest where it was caught. “Better watch it. You sounded like you had such fun this morning, that I might just recommend your decorating skills to the fundraising committee. It could be a last-minute money raising appeal to the single women of Indigo Bay.”

  Eric choked.

  She rushed over and patted him on the back. “It could be combined with the donation couch-surfing idea I had.”

  He bent over in laughter. “I’m going to get you for that.”

  She grinned. “I can’t wait. As for the decorations, they’re in the boxes along the far wall.”

  Eric straightened and faced the wall. “All…” He stopped. “Ten of them?”

  “Yep. We have lights for the house and the front yard trees. Lit reindeer and angels. And don’t forget the blow-up Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frosty, and the Grinch. Mom has had some of them for a long time.”

  “Dare I ask what’s in the box marked fragile?”

  “The most important decoration of all. The manger and ceramic figures for the porch. I’ll take care of that.”

  “You guys have everything covered. I probably shouldn’t tell you that I’ve gone some years without even a tree.”

  “Nope, and don’t tell me that when you’ve entertained over the holidays, you’ve paid an interior designer to decorate.”

  Eric stacked three boxes and picked them up, peering around the side. “I supposed I shouldn’t tell you that I’ve gotten a couple of those professional house decorations for free.”

  “Not if you want to score any points with me.”

  “Score. Hmm.”

  Heat rushed through her. Her own fault. She was the one who’d said score.

  “Not even if I said free for the publicity of having done my house.”

  She picked up the box with the creche. “Button it and follow me.” It made a big difference, but she wasn’t going to say that. He had enough of an upper hand with her emotions already.

  Eric stood on the front porch, arm draped casually over Amanda’s shoulder, surveying the reindeer dancing among the decorated trees, a solemn line of angels, and swaying blow-up characters. “Nice.”

  Amanda leaned her head on his shoulder. “It’ll be spectacular when it’s lit up in the dark.”

  “Nice view here, too.”

  Amanda stirred, but didn’t lift her head. “Yes, the manger is really something. An antique, probably. It belonged to my grandparents.”

  “That, too,” Eric said against her hair. “But it isn’t really the something I was looking at.”

  She snuggled against him, and he tightened his arm around her. Then, the screen door creaked, and Amanda jumped away.

  “Everything looks wonderful,” Lisa said. “Come on in and have a cool drink.”

  He shook his arm. Something to cool him down. Good idea.

  “Oh, Mom,” Amanda said when she stepped into the living room. “You’ve outdone yourself.”

  “I’ve seen professional jobs that weren’t nearly as nice,” Eric said.

  Beside him, Amanda made a choking, coughing sound. “Excuse me. Dry throat.”

  “Let’s get those drinks. And thanks. I had a good time decorating.” Lisa led them to the kitchen. “Sweet tea, or Eric has some beer in the refrigerator.”

  “Ale,” he specified for Amanda. “And I’ll take one.”

  “Me, too,” Amanda said.

  Lisa started toward the refrigerator.

  Eric beat her to it. “Tea for you. Lisa?”

  “Yes, please.” She took three glasses from the cupboard while he grabbed two bottles of ale with one hand and the pitcher of tea with the other, closing the refrigerator with his elbow.

  He placed the tea on the table and opened an ale for Amanda.

  She took the bottle and looked at the label. “The good stuff.” She picked up her glass and filled it.

  He sat and did the same, raising his glass. “Something we have in common.”

  She smiled over the neck of the bottle.

  The brand was a niche one, not a commercially popular one. Even so, the discovery of their mutual like shouldn’t warm him as much as it did. Or was the warmth from her smile? He took a long draw of his ale.

  “Everything is done, except for the Christmas tree,” Lisa announced.

  Eric stifled a groan. He hated to admit it, but he was kind of beat and would rather relax—preferably, alone with Amanda—for the evening than decorate a tree.

  “Would you two want to run down to one of the corner lots with me to get one?”

  Lisa didn’t even have the tree yet? He’d figured it was out behind the ga
rage or somewhere else he hadn’t seen. He didn’t track her comings and goings.

  “I’ll order pizza,” Lisa cajoled.

  “It’s a tradition. When I was a kid, Mom and I always got pizza when we put up the Christmas tree.”

  He and his son didn’t have many traditions, except one. “The pizza sounds great, so no one has to cook supper. But I have a better idea about the tree.”

  “Not artificial,” Amanda said. “We never do artificial.”

  “I wouldn’t think of it. Have you ever cut your own tree? Chris and I used to. We’d drive out of the city into the mountains, make a day of it.” He stopped. “Assuming there’s a Christmas tree farm within driving distance.”

  “There is,” Lisa said. “In north Charleston. I got a flyer about it in the mail.”

  “Perfect. Eric and I have an interview at the Charleston newspaper Thursday morning. We can drive up to the farm afterwards and get both our trees. I’ve never cut my own before.”

  “Great. You don’t mind not coming, Lisa.”

  She waved him off. “Not at all.”

  Eric’s phone rang a familiar ring tone. He pushed away from the table. “I should take this. It’s Chris.”

  “Hey, Chris,” he said as he stepped into the living room.

  “Dad. I’m heading to Jackson Hole. You sure you don’t want to join me?”

  Eric’s stomach knotted. Skiing at Christmastime was their other tradition. And they were going for New Year’s. “Sorry, I’ve made commitments to the folks here … the mayor.”

  “Amanda Strickland. I’ve seen the publicity.”

  He didn’t detect any bitterness in his son’s voice but blurted out anyway. “I’m not ditching our time together for a woman. I know I’ve done that too many times before.”

  “Dad, it’s okay.”

  Eric’s heart swelled. Chris did sound okay.

  “I’m still coming to Indigo Bay for Christmas, and we have the condo for the week after. And if your ‘thing’ with the mayor is to discourage Maya, you can call it off. I’ve taken care of her.”